“The ancient bug was discovered by Google security researcher Tavis Ormandy in January 2010 and involves a utility that allows newer versions of Windows to run very old programs. Mr Ormandy has found a way to exploit this utility in Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and 2008 as well as Windows Vista and Windows 7. The patch for this vulnerability will appear in the February security update. Five of the vulnerabilities being patched at the same time allow attackers to effectively hijack a Windows PC and run their own programs on it.”
I misread that the first time I looked at it .. a Freudian slip:
“Microsoft to Patent 17-year-old Computer Bug”
Considering some of their other patents it wouldn’t be too outlandish to expect them to patent security through obscurity with a 17 year old bug being offered as the working model of how to implement the “feature”.
I think the Windows 7 honeymoon period is over, it’s business as usual. Expect things to slow down and oddly screw up since as it happens, the latest “Reliability and Stability” update does the opposite of what it says.
Microsoft just can’t help themselves and play around. People have been claiming great stability with Windows 7. Don’t try to fix what’s not broken(or is it really?).
Edited 2010-02-06 20:51 UTC
What does that have to do with the article?